Books like 'The Hardest Cut'
Readers who enjoyed The Hardest Cut by Jamie Bennett also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
contemporary romance small town sports age-gap workplace
-
When Alec Met Evie by Jenny Proctor
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEvie told herself not to fall for her pro-hockey crush. But when she sees him holding her baby girl, all bets are off. When Evie moves South to the same mountain town where her childhood crush plays pro-hockey, she arms herself with all the reasons why she can’t fall for him again.Number one: Alec is her best friend’s much older brother...Categorized as:
sports age-gap romance contemporary friends-to-lovers fiction forced-proximity small-town -
Southern Sinner: A Fake Relationship Romance by Jessica Peterson
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWhat happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. Until I brought my fake girlfriend home.When I took a seat next to the gorgeous brunette at the blackjack table, I had no idea it would be the start of the hottest weekend of my life. By day, Stevie and I dominate the casinos of Sin City.By night, I dominate her in my penthouse suite... -
Landon: Small Town Roommate Romance by Cora Brent
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsRELEASING APRIL 22nd!!! LANDON My former student. My new roommate. My greatest weakness….Autumn:It’s not that I’m hiding out in this hard luck little town. But I’m twenty-six years old, I’ve had one boyfriend and he ditched me for my sister. So I might be a little cynical. Then again, perhaps a high school math teacher shouldn’t expect romance... -
She's Like The Wind by Carrie Elks
Rated: 4.60 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsHe’d be a fool to fall for his long-legged, barefoot employee. But bad decisions have never stopped him before… Successful businessman and single father, Nate Crawford, doesn’t need any more complications. That’s why he’s moved his business – and his life – to a small beach town. He’s expecting sun, sea and tranquility, but what he gets is a whirlwind in the form of town sweetheart, Ally Sutton... -
-
Must Love Christmas by Kelly Hunter
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsShe wants to create the perfect family Christmas…Heiress Madeline Love has one last chance to impress her father and organize the perfect Christmas—their last one as a family before her father weds a younger woman and forgets about his only daughter. Madeline wants to create some much-needed family memories in their historic Montana ranch that she’s always loved... -
Stay With You by Melanie Shawn
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsJust when Chrissy Caldwell thought things couldn’t get any worse, life showed up and said, “Hold my beer.”The past year had been a living nightmare, one she couldn’t seem to wake up from... -
Touchdown by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.43 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsAs much as I’ve coached the pro football quarterback to believe he always has a choice, this time I’m the one backed into a corner.My biggest fears have come true. I’m an adult living with my parents as I contemplate my future. I’ve given up everything to make the ultimate sacrifice, but at some point I need to put what happened behind me... -
Wild Temptation by Hope Ford
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAsher Wild is a temptation I can’t resist.He’s my grumpy boss.He didn’t want to hire me,But as a favor to a friend -- he gave me a chance.Besides proving I’m a good worker, and can make a difference on his peach farm.It seems I can’t stop throwing myself at him. I didn’t think Asher would rock my world...Categorized as:
age-gap workplace romance contemporary small-town grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc -
Tight Laced by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsOne of us will have to give up the future we’ve dreamed of if we’re going to make this work. It’s not going to be me. We can’t both have that same thought if we want to stay together when our contract ends.But the more I see him struggle against the things his mother does to him, the harder I fall. The more his ex tries to get in his way, the more I want to stand up for him... -
Trust the Push by Kaylee Ryan
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsI'm making strides in the world of dirt late model racing. With back-to-back championships under my belt, I'm determined to win a third and be the youngest driver in history to do so. I'm going to make it happen. My career is my focus. That is until the ultimate distraction in the form of a redheaded bombshell drops into my life... -
Charmed by Laura B. Pavlov
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsCrew Carlisle is enemy number one.He’s also my new boss.I need this internship as much as Crew needs an ego lobotomy.He’s arrogant, cocky, and annoyingly good looking.Our families have despised one another since long before I was born.The man loathes me, and he makes no effort to hide his contempt.But everything I thought I knew isn’t as it seems.And Crew isn’t who I thought he was... -
The Wildcat by Bella Matthews
Rated: 4.36 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWhat do you get when you mix a devastatingly handsome hockey player who doesn’t do casual with a blonde bombshell cheerleader who doesn’t do serious?I was supposed to be taking the summer off from dating. . . and flirting. . . and men in general. A cleanse. It sounded great in theory. But theory went out the window when my own personal kryptonite sat on the barstool next to mine... -
The Path to Loving Him by Meghan Quinn
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn comes a new forced proximity, single dad romantic comedy. This steamy, laugh out loud, enemies-to-lovers, small town standalone romance delivers the perfect happily ever after. What does one do when they completely blow an interview?If you're me, you pick up a one-night stand with the most gorgeous man you've ever seen.Categorized as:
sports workplace romance audiobook contemporary small-town forced-proximity enemies-to-lovers -
The Roommate Mistake by Pippa Grant
Rated: 4.67 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsAn injured rugby star, his pregnant roommate, and one rule they can’t Don’t date the owner’s daughter. It was supposed to be an easy house- and dog-sitting gig while the owner was gone for a month. But when my sportsing landlord comes home unexpectedly, injured and in need of a new arrangement, we end up as accidental roommates instead...Categorized as:
sports workplace age-gap romance contemporary audiobook friends-to-lovers forced-proximity -
-
The Sweet Spot by Bella Matthews
Rated: 4.28 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsA fake marriage with a single dad wasn't on my dance card but there are worse ways to start the summer.Our story didn’t begin the night I agreed to marry Deacon Kane to help him keep his daughter. It started ten years ago, with a hotshot hockey player I couldn’t wait to see each summer. He was big, broad, and filled out his board shorts so damn nicely...Categorized as:
sports age-gap workplace romance contemporary new-adult marriage marriage-of-convenience -
Devil in Disguise by Rosalind James
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe devil doesn’t come with pointy horns and a tail. He comes as everything you’ve ever wished for. When discipline is your life, structure’s a good thing, and Owen Johnson’s got plenty of both. An All-Pro NFL center who’s also a cattle rancher? Yeah, that’s structure. His marriage didn’t work out, but then, he picked the wrong woman. A Wyoming ranch doesn’t look nearly as romantic up close... -
Hunter by Eliza Lentzski
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe Winter Jacket prequel It all started with a navy blue dress... In her junior year of college, Hunter Dyson has some big decisions to make about her future. She wants to be a nurse, that much she knows, but everyone from her parents to her academic advisor is nagging her about what kind of nursing she wants to pursue... -
Out of Alignment by A.K. Evans
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsParker Banks is a creature of habit. Unfortunately, her schedule isn’t going according to plan. After experiencing one of the worst weeks of her life, the last thing she needs is some guy thinking he can fix her problems. Nash Stevens is all about precision. An industry-leading chassis tuner, he’s partly responsible for the record-setting cars coming out of LT Motorsports... -
Commanding the Curvy Girl by Nichole Rose
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsTo save a curvy dispatcher and win her heart, this detective will do whatever it takes. Even if it means answering every outrageous call in Silver Spoon Falls.EastonTaking a bullet was supposed to be as bad as things could get.And then I moved to Silver Spoon Falls.There is nothing easy about life in this crazy small town.Especially when a curvy little dispatcher decides she doesn't like me... -
Ever Mine by Laura Pavlov
Rated: 4.26 of 5 stars · 19 ratingsHe’s hockey’s golden boy, my new client, and the man I’ve avoided for the last nine years. I was hired to fix him—but he’s not the only one who’s broken.Hawk Madden was my first love.I thought he would be my forever.But life wasn’t always fair.And grief could be a cruel beast.Fight or flight?I’d always run.But now he’s back in my life after all these years.With one look.One touch.One kiss... -
Straight Up by Charity Ferrell
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA new standalone in the Twisted Fox Series.Book 3, Straight Up: (Lincoln and Cassidy's story)...Categorized as:
age-gap workplace adult book contemporary fiction forced-proximity friends-to-lovers -
Courageous Hearts by Emmy Sanders
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsMr. Right wasn’t expecting Mx. Tall, Dark, and Beautiful. BoBeing out and proud as a nonbinary person didn’t come easy, but I’ve finally found my place. I have an amazing work family at the cabaret bar where I perform, Chicago fits me better than my Texas hometown ever did, and I’m truly happy.Especially once Jameson walks into my life... -
The Problem with Players by Brittainy C. Cherry
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAs a female coach, I’ve always lived by a simple mantra: throw hard, swing for the fences, and never, ever look back--especially when it comes to past flames.So when my ex-boyfriend somehow manages to land the job as my new assistant coach, my life is flipped upside down. The game I thought I'd mastered is now being played with a whole new set of rules.My ex is baseball's all-star Nathan Pierce... -
Turnover by Lisa Suzanne
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsI’m in love with a man who is marrying somebody else. At least that’s what was supposed to happen when I was kicked out of the wedding last night by the bride’s father. I find myself without a job, without a home, and without the pro football quarterback I’ve fallen for... -
-
Seduced by Hope Ford
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsAll that’s ever mattered to me is football.Until I meet the woman that makes me question everything.She thinks I care that she’s older than me.She thinks I’ll just give up and forget the one night we had together.But that’s not going to happen.We may have drunk too much.We may have gotten married in a drive-thru wedding chapel,But there’s no way I’m just going to let her run from me... -
The Wild Card by Cassie-Ann L. Miller
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt was supposed to be harmless. One fake date with an off-limits football player I'd never date for real.Plot twist—Harry Westbrook is the exact opposite of harmless.My first mistake? Underestimating that boyish smile, those playful eyes, the charming words on those perfect lips. He claims to have a crush on me... -
Wicked Hearts by Amber Kelly
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsMy big brother and I landed in the care of my aunt and her husband after my parents died in a tragic accident when I was three-years-old. I grew up smothered by love from a family that knows what the bitter sting of loss feels like.Living under that umbrella afforded me the ability to grow up with the security needed to try my every whim… and I have, now it’s time to figure out who I want to be... -
Take Me Higher: A Colorado High Country Novel by Pamela Clare
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFor fans of the Colorado High Country series comes the love story of the couple who started it all! He’s the love of her life…Rock climbing saved Megs Hall. The sport gave her an emotional escape from her abusive stepfather when she was a teen and turned her into a living legend. It also brought her together with the one man who truly understood her... -
In Spades by Maggie C. Gates
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsOnce upon a time, Kristin Boyd was a college senior about to graduate with a business degree. Then, a single night turned her life upside down and landed her back in Beaufort, North Carolina. With her hopes for the future shattered, she found herself raising four kids on her own, struggling to make ends meet.Five years later, life still hasn’t given her a break...Categorized as:
age-gap workplace romance contemporary small-town billionaire friends-to-lovers new-adult -
Upping the Ante by Emma St. Clair
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe's been the grumpiest boss a woman could ask for--or he WAS until I quit. But former football star Deacon Clark doesn't seem to be getting the memo. Instead, he tags along with me to Sheet Cake, Texas, where I'm hoping to start a new business.Deacon's only hope is to hire me back as his assistant. At least, that's what I thought. Until ... the very clear lines we've always kept start to blur... -
Boone by Laramie Briscoe
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI’m old enough to be her father, and a life-long confirmed bachelor, but after one night together, all that is about to change. Boone Wilson Instead of building my forever with a conventional family, I’ve dedicated my life to being the best father I can to the son I had way too early in life. Now that he’s grown, I’m giving all I can to my job... -
Check Swing by Carrie Aarons
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsSinclair Callahan is a trust fund baby.Born into one of the richest, most notorious families in the country, the black sheep title was stamped on him from an early age. While the rest of his relatives earn their keep at the top tier baseball team they’ve owned for generations, Sin prefers spending his time and money on booze, babes and bad decisions... -
Stencil: Sugar and Spice, Ink by Evan Grace
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsOur arrangement was simple—just physical and definitely no falling in love. That seemed easy enough until a positive pregnancy test changed everything. He’s loud, crude, sexy, and can cook and he’s bound and determined to make me his, but I’ve been burned before and if I let him in, and things don’t work out for us, well, it’s more than just my heart on the line... -
Coming Home by Hope Ford
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsA Billionaire Veteran.A younger, curvy woman on the run.Together, in a protective, all the feels romance. I just got home from serving in the military and I'm learning how to live as a civilian when I meet her. Elle is my younger brother’s assistant, but the minute I see her, I want to know everything about her. Elle is hiding secrets. I'm hellbent on uncovering every one...Categorized as:
age-gap workplace romance contemporary billionaire small-town forced-proximity womens-fiction -
-
Frat Bro by Raleigh Ruebins
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThis fall, I have one simple rule: don't fall in love with my fake boyfriend.I’m awful at following the rules.One minute I was a nobody in a small Colorado town, getting by on contract work, home renovations, and a dumpster fire of a dating life—and then suddenly, my life was on TV...Categorized as:
age-gap sports romance mlm contemporary friends-to-lovers fake-relationship small-town -
Craving In The Mountains by Olivia T. Turner
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhat do you do when you’re in a funk that won’t quit?I tried - Sleeping all day (check)- Binge watching Stranger Things all day (check)- Feeling sorry for myself all day (check)But nothing works. My funk gets funkier. Depression looms.So I do something drastic to shake myself out of it.I head to the Greene Mountains to go parachuting with my crazy cousin and his wild friends...Categorized as:
age-gap sports insta-love alpha-mc small-town friends-to-lovers fated-mates contemporary -
The Doctor Who Stole Christmas by K.C. Crowne
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAn grumpy doctor.A wicked blizzard.And only one bed in sight.What could possibly go wrong?I never expected to find myself trekking through a blizzard...All to deliver "vital documents" to the elusive Dr. Grump's remote cabin...Categorized as:
workplace age-gap small-town grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc grumpy-mc forced-proximity fiction -
Cowboy Triplets Next Door by Summer Haze
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsWhen three dominant cowboys take over my ranch, they want more than just my land.It's their rules now. And this innocent girl is about to break every single one of them.Living alone on my family’s ranch was supposed to be peaceful. But then the Hellstone triplets moved in next door, turning my world upside down... -
Naughty or Nice by Sophie Snow
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsRora Stanley hates Christmas.But when her best friend needs a Santa photographer for her family’s toy store, Rora is forced to return to her Christmas-obsessed hometown for the holidays.Henry Whitten loves Christmas.And a few weeks in Wintermore, Wyoming playing Santa is exactly what he needs as he stands at a career crossroads...Categorized as:
age-gap workplace romance contemporary small-town forced-proximity grumpy-sunshine cheerful-mc -
Warwick by Kelly Fox
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsI understand that sleeping with the boss is a bad idea.To be fair, I was already sleeping with my co-worker.And yeah, we all live in the same bunkhouse on a ranch in the middle of the Central Texas Hill Country, but we’re professionals. We can handle it.Besides, I’ve made it pretty darn clear that I am in no way a relationship guy... -
Despite It All by Mollie Goins
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsWyla My trip to Nashville for my sister’s bachelorette trip was going to be my weekend to let go. I was starting my last year of college and I finally felt like I had a plan for my life. I wanted one weekend of freedom. My plan was to drink some whiskey, sing karaoke, and ride that mechanical bull... -
Thin Ice by Lane Hayes
Rated: 4.30 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThe hunky hockey dad, the bad boy coach, and a new start... Bryson Elmwood isn’t good for my love life. Sorry. I’m a positive person and I have nothing but wonderful things to say about small town life, but I haven’t had a date, let alone a boyfriend in years. That’s fine. My son is and always has been my number one focus. Except now he’s grown and is rarely home. And it’s lonely... -
Into the Tide by Laura Pavlov
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsShe’s my best friend’s little sister. Completely off-limits. But every man has his breaking point. Lila James is my best friend’s little sister and I’ve always looked out for her.She's five years younger than me, and when she left for college, she was just a kid.But now she’s home for the summer—and she’s definitely not a kid anymore.She’s beautiful and smart and everything I didn’t know I needed... -
Virgin Skin by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsI know I have to keep my hands off of my best friend’s son, but it’s hard… really, really hard…I didn’t know the guy I picked up in the bar last night was Hero’s son. To be fair, he didn’t even know he had a son until today. I guess we’re all just scrambling to put on our poker faces.Keeping my hands off of Milo is hard enough thanks to his lickable dimple, flirty smiles, and virgin skin... -
-
Rear Ended by K.M. Neuhold
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsLove is a highway, and Henry just got Rear Ended I’ve spent my entire adult life working eighty hours a week, chasing money, security… success . When my recent start-up went under, leaving me with nothing to show for years of grinding myself down to the bone, I’m not sure who I am anymore... -
Marked by Rebecca Barber
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsLogan-freaking-Oliver. Sure the million-dollar pretty boy can play football. At least that’s what the papers lead us to believe. Me though, I’m not so convinced. Sure he's got a backside you could bounce quarters off, arms you want wrapped around you, dimples you’d drown in and hair you’d sell your mother to pull... but is he a nice guy or has he let fame go to his head... -
Downpour by Maggie C. Gates
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsRay:Rule #1 of almost dying: Make sure someone knows your passwords. It’s hard to cancel your phone plan if you’re dead.Rule #2 of almost dying: Make sure your house is clean before you walk up the steps to the pearly gates. It makes selling off your life easier.Back-up plans are for people who plan on losing... -
Tempt by Piper Lawson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHe’s a single dad and my new boss. He’s scorching hot, with gorgeous dark eyes and a smile that makes me burn up every time he looks at me. Too bad he’s ten years older, with trust issues and more layers than my psych degree could ever unwrap. I shouldn’t fall into bed with him, not to mention let my heart get involved. But he makes me feel things I never expected to feel... -
Wicked Chemistry by R.L. Kenderson
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsI didn’t know I’d risk everything to be with him.I thought he was the assistant football coach.I thought I would protect my teaching career from anything.I thought I could stay away from him.I thought wrong.Wicked Chemistry deals with a student-teacher relationship. All individuals are over eighteen and consenting adults... -
Just One More Chance by Oona Ryda, Candace Ayers
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFrom bestselling author, Candace Ayers, and new author, Oona Ryda, comes a romance about an ugly-duckling-turned-swan who runs into her brother’s best friend at a bar, keeps her identity secret, and ends up unexpectedly pregnant with his baby. Oopsie...
Or - use our amazing romance book finder to get recommendations based on your favorite content tropes and themes. Mix and match at will.